How much potassium for silage maize on light sandy soils ?

摘要

Improving the eco-efficicncy of silage maize production requires a nutrient supply fine-tuned to the crop demand. The impact of potassium supply on silage maize dry matter yield was studied in a multi-year field trial on a light sandy soil in northernGermany. A potassium supply of 83 kg K ha"' was sufficient for maximising dry matter yield, while K demand was higher for maximum K yield and a zero K balance. An equation was derived to quantify the critical K content as a function of biomass, which may provide a tool for evaluating the K fertiliser management after validation.